Head of Industry Groups Origination, Middle East & Central Asia

A leading global Investment Bank is seeking an experienced industry leader to head its Industry Groups Origination function across the Middle East & Central Asia, based in Dubai, UAE.Job Purpose:As the Head of Industry Groups Origination, Middle East & Central Asia, you will define, lead, and execute the regional origination and the client/ product footprint design strategy across the designated sectors of focus, including key Infrastructure asset classes. It is a high-profile, senior front-office leadership role and you will be a member of the local Exco of the region. Operating as a product-neutral industry leader, you will work in close coordination with the relevant Industry Groups and M&A/ IBRA teams globally and regionally, drive strategic client dialogue and deliver sector-focused content and expertise to originate high-value transactions in the region.Your mandate spans Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and Investment Banking & Real Assets (IBRA) products. Geographically, you will champion the bank industry groups’ efforts in the Middle East and Central Asia (MECCA), with a reporting line connecting into the Asia-Pacific & Middle East (APME) franchise. Last, you will contribute to identify and materialize commercial synergies between the two platforms on the M&A/ IBRA scope, Asia-Pacific and MECCA, track cross-platform deals and set/ monitor a P&L ambition.

Key Responsibilities

1. Sector Strategy & Client EngagementIndustry Groups Focus: Define and implement the regional growth strategy focused primarily on Energy Transition & Natural Resources and Telecom & Tech industry groups, and the broader Infrastructure space.Financial Sponsors & SWF: Cultivate and expand deep institutional relationships with senior investment/ capital markets leaders at regional Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) and leading Financial Sponsors in the Real Assets and Infrastructure space.Financial Sponsor Group coordination: Take coverage responsibility for selected Financial Sponsors Group (FSG) names active in the MECCA region and coordinate with the FSG Head for APME and with the Head of Coverage in MECCA.2. Deal Origination & AdvisoryStrategic Client Dialogue: Establish and maintain high-level, strategic dialogues with existing and target clients as defined above. Generate proactive, unsolicited transaction ideas and pitches that align with clients' capital structuring and advisory needs.Dual Product Origination: Drive the origination of pipeline opportunities across both M&A/Advisory and Investment Banking & Real Assets (IBRA) products (including Project / Structured Finance, DCM, ECM, and strategic equity/mezzanine).Cross-Functional Execution: Collaborate seamlessly with global and regional industry group teams, regional and global client coverage teams, and the relevant product partners to facilitate, support, and lead the negotiation and execution of high-profile mandate wins.3. Risk Governance & Business PlanningCredit & Risk Advisory: Act as the ultimate regional Industry Group authority, providing objective opinions and intelligence on all significant business decisions, credit files, and underwriting risks in the region.Risk Policy Contribution: Provide critical regional sector insights to shape and optimize the bank's sector-specific risk policies and asset allocation across the MECCA region.P&L and Budgeting: Develop, monitor, and execute the annual industry group business plans and budgets for the MECCA region, as well as the commercial synergies between the two platforms on the relevant set of products, taking accountability for meeting target fee-generation objectives.Required Skills & Experience:Professional ExperienceIndustry Tenure: At least 15+ years of investment banking or corporate finance experience within a well-established global financial institution.Sector Specialization: A proven, deep-rooted specialization in Infrastructure, Energy Transition, Utilities, and Digital Infrastructure.Regional Track Record: Strong track record of successfully originating and executing M&A and structuring/financing transactions in the Middle East & Central Asia (MECCA) region.Elite Network: An outstanding, active network of senior personal contacts and building rapport across regional SWFs and/or financial sponsors and/or and developers.Technical CompetenciesComprehensive Finance Toolkit: Strong technical fluency in M&A process management, valuations, credit analysis, financial modeling, legal documentation, and due diligence.Structured & Real Asset Finance Mastery: Deep knowledge and technical understanding of the investment banking and structured finance market, project finance, debt tailoring, and complex financing structures.Product-Neutral Mindset: Ability to objectively assess client needs and work cohesively with a broad range of product desks to package optimal capital solutions.Soft Skills & LeadershipCollaborative Team Player: A strong committed team player with the cultural agility to operate effectively across diverse local, regional (APME), and global matrixed coverage and product networks.Communication & Influence: Exceptional presentation, negotiation, and persuasive skills, with a proven ability to build immediate credibility with internal global committees and external C-suite executives.Market Presence: Excellent public speaking and presentation skills, with the capability and willingness to represent the bank as a thought leader at key regional industry conferences and seminars.